Venice

for when in 2018?

It would help to know your price limit in Euro and your dates. Saying, "I cannot believe the prices" does not convey much useful information.

Sorry folks- Will be in Venice May 31, & June 1. Looking at 175-200 E per night. I am getting quotes for these areas around 250-275. Have previously stayed around St. Marks Square and have not fully explored the San Polo or Carnnegio areas and that is why we would like a hotel situated there.
Nigel I know you have been on this site for years and Frank any input would be appreciated.

You can use a site like booking.com to filter by price and identify hotels in that price range. Look at photos and read reviews, pick out 3-4 that appeal to you and ask about them here. Then book directly on the hotel's website.

Although many folks on this site book lodging almost a full year out, I don't do it for the reason you give. The rates a year out are not representative (and I've never found that someone can get a good deal or even a decent price that far out). The exception if of course if there is a special event that really affects supply of lodging. I would not panic, wait a few months, and just see how things go...you have plenty of time to track prices. I realize this is Venice and the number of places is constrained by geography, but surely it's not worth panicking at this point. Try booking.com as opposed to e-mailing/calling individual places.

As you remembered, 175-200 E is a pretty common price for a double room at the moderate end of the scale in Venice. I booked in June for late September and found several such prices still available from among listings in Rick's book. He only has a couple of suggestions near Piazzale Roma side and a few more on the train station, all of which have some trade-offs. See Albergo Marin and Hotel Ai Tolentini, for instance.

Hi Agnes
I have been checking Booking.com, Trivago, TripAdvisor, all are pretty much the same pricing. I realize it is 10 months out but in most of the cities I have already booked I have received very good pricing in comparison to Booking etc. I will wait a month or so and try the 3 I have researched and see if their pricing comes down. Also I like to deal with the hotel itself but in a few instances this trip they would rather I book thru booking sites. I guess they want to pay the commission and convenience of not dealing direct.
Thanks for your input appreciated.

For your own curiosity put in a date in early Sept of 2017 and see what kind of availability rates you get.
It may be too early to book at the best prices for a place like Venice where there are so many rooms available.

Smaller places without the options Venice will have I like to book further out as well to get my top choice but in cities that rarely gets you the best deal.

Hi Again
Laura thank you your suggestions. I already contact Albergo Marin and they are fully book for May 31, June 1st next year. Still waiting for Ai Tolentini. Loved the location of both. Any further suggestions would be appreciated. I must confess I am still using RS book from 2009 but have been to Venice before. This will be our 5th time. My favorite. You should mention to Rick that he should take a look at the heel of Italy and maybe incorporate some venues in his next Italy book. Matera, Lecce and the coast. Alberobello, Polignano A Mare, Ascoli Piceno and others along the coast, we are doing this area as well.
Again thanks.

I think you're looking too far in advance. I imagine lots of hotels don't even bother inputting 2018 dates until this fall.

It's not Piazzale Roma, but take a look at Locanda La Corte. Loved the location near Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo.

Cannaregio is where I usually stay, and I often get better prices booking far in advance through booking.com. Last couple of times was Locanda San Marcuolo.

Stars are irrelevant, they are given for various amenities (lift, swimming pool), not for quality.